Closed-Loop Rb-82 Elution for Quantitative PAD Blood Flow Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for diagnosing peripheral arterial disease, particularly in diabetic patients, lack quantitative assessment of blood flow and are invasive, with PET tracers like 18F-FDG increasing blood glucose levels and causing complications.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method using a closed-loop Rb-82 elution system for PET imaging, which administers Rb-82 through a generator and infusion system, coupled with AI-based image analysis, to quantify blood flow and provide severity scores for peripheral arterial disease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional diagnostic methods (physical examination, ABI, duplex ultrasonography, CT/CMR, invasive angiography) are used, then the diagnosis can be obtained, but quantitative assessment of blood flow in affected parts cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
A PET tracer (such as 18F-FDG or alternative tracers like 82Rb) is used as an intermediary substance to visualize and quantify blood flow in affected parts. The tracer is administered to the patient and accumulates in tissues based on blood flow, allowing quantitative assessment through PET imaging without requiring complex invasive procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical procedures (angiography) and limited functional tests (ABI) with nuclear medicine imaging (PET scan). This substitution enables quantitative blood flow assessment through radioactive tracer distribution patterns, providing both anatomical and functional information in a non-invasive manner
2Reliability
If 18F-FDG PET agent is administered to diagnose peripheral arterial disease, then imaging can be performed, but blood glucose levels increase causing complications in diabetic patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses alternative PET tracers with different metabolic pathways that do not rely on glucose metabolism. Tracers such as 82Rb (rubidium-82) or ammonia-13 are used instead of 18F-FDG, providing diagnostic information about blood flow without affecting blood glucose levels, thus suitable for diabetic patients
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the biochemical parameter of the tracer from glucose-metabolizing (18F-FDG) to blood-flow-tracking alternatives (82Rb, ammonia-13). This parameter change maintains diagnostic reliability for peripheral arterial disease while eliminating the harmful effect of blood glucose elevation in diabetic patients
3Measurement precision
If invasive angiography is performed, then detailed vascular imaging can be obtained, but the procedure is invasive and lacks quantitative blood flow assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical angiography with non-invasive PET imaging using radioactive tracers. The tracer is administered intravenously and distributes according to blood flow, allowing quantitative assessment of perfusion in affected parts without catheterization or contrast injection, thus eliminating invasiveness while providing blood flow quantification
4Loss of information
If conventional imaging methods are used, then anatomical structures can be visualized, but exact lesion locations and physiologic consequences cannot be specified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines anatomical imaging (CT or MRI component of PET/CT or PET/MRI systems) with functional PET imaging in a single integrated system. This merging provides both precise anatomical localization of lesions and quantitative physiological information about blood flow and tissue metabolism in the same examination, eliminating information loss without requiring separate complex procedures
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides accurate, non-invasive diagnosis and treatment options for peripheral arterial disease, including risk assessment and personalized therapy, with automated image analysis and telemedicine support.
Implementation Method 1
a radionuclide generator comprising a parent isotope Sr-82 bound to a generator column
Implementation Method 2
eluting a daughter isotope from the parent isotope
Implementation Method 3
administering a dose of generated radionuclide for imaging a region of interest
Implementation Method 4
Positron Emitting Tomography (PET) for diagnosing and/or treating peripheral arterial disease
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a closed loop generation and/or infusion system comprising a radionuclide generator, an activity detector, a controller, a dose calibrator, a pump, eluant source and an automated elution system controlled by software and hardware for generation and infusion of a radionuclide for administering a dose of generated radionuclide into a subject for diagnosing a peripheral arterial disease in a subject suffering from or suspected of suffering from peripheral arterial disease and/or metabolic disease via Positron Emitting Tomography (PET) or Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging technologies. More particularly, the present invention provides methods of determining whether a subject is suffering or at a risk of developing a peripheral arterial disease by performing quantitative assessment of blood flow in lower extremities or limbs of the subject; wherein the quantitative assessment is performed by analyzing one or more images and providing a severity score; and wherein the analysis of the one or more images is performed by using an automated system.